Do What You Do
Jermaine Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you did what you did to me
Love was so good, that it fills up all my needs
I was crazy for you, you were crazy for me
How could something so right, go so wrong
My love, sweet love
Why don't you say what you say
When you say what you said anymore
I was crazy for you, you were crazy for me
How could something so right go so wrong
Tell me something I didn't do
Why did someone else put you through
Did they steal you away like a thief in the night
Love like this, must take flight
Why don't they play what they played
On the nights you danced with me
Remember the one we made love to endlessly
I was crazy for you, you were crazy for me
How could something so right go so wrong
The lyrics of the song "Do What You Do" by Jermaine Jackson are about a failed love story that started out beautifully but ended up in a mess. The song expresses the singer's feeling of betrayal and confusion as he tries to figure out what went wrong in his relationship. In the first verse, Jermaine asks why his lover is not doing the same things they used to do when they were together, as he still yearns for their love that once filled his heart with all he needed. They were both crazy for each other, but something happened that made them fall apart. The chorus repeats the question of why something so right could go so wrong, and Jermaine asks his lover to tell him what he did wrong.
The second verse continues with the same theme of confusion and questioning why his lover is not the same anymore. He mentions that her eyes could not have lied to him, but she is not saying what she used to say. He knows that it is time to say goodbye and close the door, but it is still difficult for him to let go of his love. In the third verse, Jermaine reminisces about the nights they used to dance and the love they made endlessly. He wonders why someone else came between them and stole his love away, and he concludes that love like this must take flight.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you do what you do
Asking why the person is not acting the same way they used to
When you did what you did to me
Referring to a specific action or behavior that the person did to the singer in the past
Love was so good, that it fills up all my needs
Love was enough to satisfy the singer's emotional needs
I was crazy for you, you were crazy for me
Both parties were deeply in love with each other
How could something so right, go so wrong
Expressing confusion and disbelief over how the relationship went downhill
My love, sweet love
An affectionate term for the person the singer is addressing
Why don't you say what you say
Asking why the person is not expressing themselves honestly
When you say what you said anymore
Referring to a change in the person's communication style or lack thereof
Your eyes couldn't lie, so long goodbye, close the door
Implying that the person's actions are speaking louder than their words and that it's time to let go
Tell me something I didn't do
Asking for clarity on what led to the relationship's demise
Why did someone else put you through
Questioning if someone else interfered or influenced the person's decision
Did they steal you away like a thief in the night
Suggesting that the person may have been taken away against their will or sneakily
Love like this, must take flight
Implying that the relationship had to end because of external factors
Why don't they play what they played
Asking why the things that used to work or keep the relationship going are not happening anymore
On the nights you danced with me
Referencing specific moments in the past where the relationship felt strong and happy
Remember the one we made love to endlessly
Recalling a particularly intimate moment in the relationship
How could something so right go so wrong
Repeating the same line from earlier in the song to emphasize the artist's confusion and sadness over the end of the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: LARRY DI TOMMASO, RALPH DINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cattmann
Due to Michael and Janet's phenomenal success, I feel like Jermaine has become the one forgotten but truly other talented Jackson. He had a string of hits in his own right that are true classics just like this one. I Love Jermaine's voice.
@jeancena3556
Somewhat true, but Jermaine Jackson still achieved a huge amount of success from his musical creativity. I think all of the Jackson brothers, and of course Janet made a committed fanbase for not only the collective group but even as solo careers. I dont think we will see a family like that ever again.
@kimberlyketer8924
Jermaine is very talented he's unique
@GEELASOUNDTV
Casualty of war. Mike took his bridge and used it for I ust cant stop loving you.
@Jail512
Jermain I feel got caught up n his brothers stardom he’s an RnB guy not a pop star, he should of patterned his style too these type tracks.
@anthonysavio3875
The fact that he played instruments while singing is enough to prove his abilities. Of course his baby bro MJ was in another category of exceptionalism
@MrMoisheLebowitz
Those of us who grew up in the 80's are a truly blessed generation. It's an era that will never be replicated again and whenever someone from that era passes away is almost as if a part of us dies , an Innocence that no longer exists today.
@Kristina-yl9zf
They're in their 40s and 50s now
@JCMthebrand
Nothing too innocent about rampant drug use. It’s natural to be attached the era you had a coming of age. Everyone does, that’s proof that we wear rose tinted glasses when we revisit history.
@jaywest3734
@@JCMthebrandThere's rampant drug use today.